_In which we see that comfort in safety is better than luxury in
fear._
Brownie was a little mouse who lived in the country. His home was
an old hollow log, but it seemed a mansion to Brownie who was happy
all day long playing in the woods and green fields.
Now Brownie had a cousin named Ringtail who lived in the city and
one day he came out to see Brownie. They went for a long walk
through the woods and came home just in time for dinner. Brownie
was afraid there would not be enough for two, so he only nibbled on
an acorn while Ringtail had green peas, an ear of corn, and a big
red apple. But much to Brownie’s surprise he did not seem to enjoy
his dinner, and when he had finished the city mouse said:
“My cousin, how can you live in this stupid place, with nothing to
eat, and nothing to see but woods and bare fields? Come with me to
my home in the city and I will show you what real life is. When
once you see my beautiful home you will never be content to live in
this place again.”
So Brownie went with his cousin. It was night when they reached the
huge house in whose garret Ringtail made his home. The city mouse
then showed his country cousin what a nice bed he had out of some
old clothes that had been put in a chest. He then led him to the
pantry and showed him the cold meats, and cheese, and the bread
that were on the shelves. “Now, this is what I call real life,”
said Ringtail. “Come, let us go into the dining-room where we will
eat.”
They then slipped through a crack in the door and found themselves
in the dining-room. On the table they found cake and fruit and were
preparing to make a feast when suddenly the door opened and in
walked the cook. The mice jumped off the table and ran into a hole
in the floor. Poor little Brownie was so frightened that he could
almost hear his heart beat.
But finally their hunger conquered fear, and when everything grew
quiet again they slipped into the kitchen. There they found a bowl
of fresh cheese and were helping themselves to it when they saw two
great bright eyes near them.
“Run, cousin! Run!” cried Ringtail. “It is the cat!”
Brownie needed no second warning, and they ran as fast as their
little legs could carry them. When they reached a safe distance
Brownie found his voice and said:
“Good-by, cousin! I’m going back home. If living in fear is what
you call real life I do not care to know it. I prefer my quiet
home where the birds sing while I eat my corn and apples to your
beautiful home with its cake and dangers.”